How do you effectively capture and share the stories of a community?

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CLIENT: Peace Valley Landowner Association

PROJECT: A Stake in the Peace

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BACKGROUND

Each year, West Moberly First Nations, Prophet River First Nation and the Peace Valley Environmental Association welcome hundreds of paddlers and volunteers who come together on the banks of the Peace to celebrate the river and raise awareness about threats to the Peace Valley, including the Site C dam project.

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WHERE WE CAME IN

On July 14, 2018, the Munro/Thompson team drove 1,200 km from Vancouver to Hudson’s Hope through some of North America’s most stunning landscapes to participate in the 13th Annual Paddle for the Peace. This was an opportunity to reconnect with old friends and colleagues and show support for the West Moberly and Prophet River First Nations who have taken their fight to stop Site C to the Supreme Court.

We were joined by cinematographer, Nolan McAllister, to document the events of the weekend and share the stories with the world.

“We aren’t opposed to the creation of the energy, what we’re opposed to is the destruction of this valley.”

– Chief Roland Willson

Hear Chief Willson from West Moberly First Nations speak about the importance of celebrating the river and the ongoing case before the BC Supreme Court to protect the Peace River Valley.

“More than 200 of Canada’s leading scholars looked at Site C and compared it to other major projects, and they concluded that the Site C dam would have more adverse environmental effects than any project ever examined in the history of Canada’s Environmental Assessment Act.”

– Sarah Cox

Barn swallows are listed as threatened species under the Species at Risk Act in Canada. Loss of nesting habitat, including wetlands, have been identified as a cause for their threatened status.

“They’re a great part of the biodiversity here and they give protected status to our structures. Under the wildlife act, they have a 30 metre radius protected buffer when they’re nesting. Pretty much wherever you go in our yard you’re in 30-metre radius of nesting songbirds. So, in some ways the birds have more protected status then we do.”

-Ken Boon

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THE RESULTS

The outcome was three videos that not only celebrate the event and its cause, but that tell the stories of Peace Valley residents who would be impacted by the construction of Site C. The video series was used across West Moberly First Nations, Prophet River First Nation and the Peace Valley Environmental Association websites and social media channels. They were also shared broadly with media as a more interactive pitching opportunity outside of traditional press releases.

Stand with West Moberly First Nations, Prophet River First Nation, Ken and Arlene Boon, and the rest of the landowners along the Peace River who are trying to save their homes from the Site C project. Learn more at stakeinthepeace.com or paddleforthepeace.ca